KNYSNA NEWS - Two suspected shoplifters were arrested in Knysna and three more, believed to be part of the same group, in George this past weekend after being found to be in possession of thousands of rands' worth of clothing.
Two women, aged 18 and 23, were apprehended by security personnel in Knysna and handed over to police on Saturday 6 November. They were charged with the possession of suspected stolen property/goods that was handed in as evidence.
Later the same day, members of the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting team (CCCT) on duty in and around George received word that possible suspects, two women and a man, had fled from Knysna.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said the suspects had been "spotted to be in possession of possible stolen items, mainly clothing, that was suspected to be stolen from shops in Knysna".
In Thembalethu, the CCCT members noticed a VW Polo sedan with three occupants that fitted the description of the suspects and the getaway vehicle. "Members subsequently pulled over the vehicle and ensued with a search during which the officers retrieved new clothing, still marked with price tags attached to the estimated value of more than R14 000," Pojie said.
The three, aged between 20 and 35, were arrested on the scene and detained at the Thembalethu holding cells.
The five suspects were to make appearances in the George and Knysna Magistrate's Courts this week on charges of possession of suspected stolen property. "The possibility that the group could be linked to other shopliftings in the region is being investigated," Pojie explained.
Western Cape police management applauded the members for their vigilance and commitment to eradicating illegal activities within the Southern Cape.
"Their integrated effort with counterparts such as security companies to safeguard our communities and businesses, doesn't go unnoticed. These arrests do not only demonstrate the sound relationship among all stakeholders within the security cluster, but also should act as a deterrent that will encourage potential shoplifters to refrain from their mischievous ways or face the full might of the law!" Pojie said.
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